New Kent players and fans enjoying basketball state tournament

March 09, 2010|By By Marty O'Brien | 247-4963

New Kent's run to the boys state semifinals is turning into a joy ride for the school's fans and players.

The Trojans (25-2) almost can float the short distance to Richmond for today's 1 p.m. semifinal against Cave Spring on the good vibes created during their quarterfinal win Saturday at James Madison University.

The fun started in the afternoon, when the New Kent players gave Trojans' coach Eddie Allen a new outfit to wear for the game that night against Western Albemarle. The superstitious Allen had worn the same khaki pants and royal blue "New Kent" polo through Trojans' 21-game win streak to start the season.

The Trojans have lost twice since, but nonetheless qualified for the program's first state-tournament berth in 10 years. The seniors, looking to express their appreciation to Allen, approached his wife, Deborah, for an idea on how to do so.

"We decided to get coach something new to wear," forward Adam Otey said. "We thought it might help us play better.

"His wife picked out the new black pants, (royal) blue shirt and new tie (New Kent blue, white and black)."

Allen walked onto the bus last Saturday for the trek to the JMU Convocation wearing the new clothes. The players gave him a standing ovation.

"He had a great big smile," Otey said. "That's the biggest smile I've seen him ever have before a game."

Whether the outfit brought the Trojans luck, or simply loosened them up, they remained poised in beating Western Albemarle 71-55 in the state quarterfinal. Hundreds of their fellow students made the 21/2-hour trek to watch and cheered them wildly.

As the Trojans pulled away late in the game the students began singing the traditional, "Nah, nah, nah, hey, hey, hey, goodbye" song to the opposing fans. Eddie Allen turned to them and made a gesture to stop, probably a good idea considering the frustration Western Albemarle's players were displaying on the court.

The New Kent students quieted until the game was over, then capped the day with a memorable display of enthusiasm. As the players dressed, more than 200 New Kent students stood in the hallway outside the dressing room cheering.

When the players appeared, they applauded, high-fived and hugged them for several minutes.

"I've never seen anything like that around here in all my years as coach," Eddie Allen said.

Added Otey: "It was crazy. We were all shocked. It feels great to have that kind of support.